(4282) [GOROSTIZA DISPATCH]
Washington, October 4, 1836. On the 23d ultimo I had a long conference with Mr. Forsyth, in which he began by confessing to me at once that information had been indirectly received of some United States troops being at Nacogdoches; he then read to me some extracts of two letters written by President Jackson to General Gaines on lhe 4th of September, respecting the contemplated movement. You will find those extracts annexed, marked No. I, and you will see by them that the former gentleman not only authorizes the latter, in certain eases, to advance as far as Nacogdoches, but even tells him to pursue the Indians, who may be inclined to commit hostilities on the frontiers of the United Slates, until he may reach them, and then to take a position wherever he may please in the Mexican territory. All this, too, is done in the name of the rights of nations, which are about to be trampled under foot, and with the word neutrality ever on the lip, although neutrality is to be contemned. You may suppose that I immediately protested against such principles, denying that Mexico had ever entertained an idea of employing Indians to commit hostilities against the · United States, and concluding by insisting upon an answer to my ultimatum; assuring the Secretary of State that, unless he should give me a satisfactory reply, I should be under the painful necessity of demanding my passports. Mr. Forsyth then told me, that in order for me to receive a reply, I should have to wait until the return of the President, who was expected to be in Washington on the 1st of October. To this I agreed. He then told me that the only object of occupying a position al Nacogdoches was .to prevent the attack upon the frontiers which, as the American Government had been informed, the Mexican Indians were preparing to make, at the instigation of Mexico; "because," added the Secretary of Stale, "you cannot deny, that if Mexico were to act thus, she would fail in the observance of the treaty and of the law of nations; and would give to the United States the right of defending themselves, if it became necessary, upon the Mexican territory." Hereupon I replied, that in such a supposed case Mexico would doubtless have failed to comply with her engagements, and the United Stales would have a just motive for
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